Gulliver’s World theme park resort in Warrington is said to be good value (Image: Gulliver’s)
For a fabulous day out with the family, there is one place that is great value for money and will keep little ones entertained. Lifestyle editor of Manchester Evening News, Dianne Bourne took a trip to Gulliver’s World with her kids and realised this theme park is wildly overlooked.
According to Dianne, the Warrington theme park is “arguably one of the best value-for-money family days out in the region”. Day tickets are available from as little as £14 per person, which appear as “secret sales” on the official Gulliver’s website. On the day of Dianne’s visit, a sunny Sunday at the start of the school holidays, and likely as busy and “peak” as it gets, day tickets were on sale for £25 per person, or £16 for an afternoon visit.
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Gulliver’s World theme park resort in Warrington (Image: Gulliver’s)
She penned: “Even at £25 per person, I found it to be excellent value, considering the enjoyable full day I spent here with my two children, aged nine and five.”
Gulliver’s can often be somewhat overlooked in the theme park stakes, particularly given the proximity of the vast Alton Towers.
While it may not compete in terms of adult thrill-seeking, Gulliver’s is squarely aimed at the family market, with rides designed for ages two to 13.
Dianne noted: “I was quite impressed that even during peak times, queue lengths never exceeded thirty minutes for any attraction.”
The new Land of Oz at Gulliver’s World in Warrington (Image: Gulliver’s World)
Those who haven’t visited recently will discover remarkable new additions to this Cheshire theme park. The standout new feature is The Land of Oz, which served as Dianne’s family’s starting point for the day.
This enchanting new section draws inspiration from the beloved Wizard of Oz tale and its memorable characters.
Dianne stated: “Visitors can stroll, or dash as my children did, along a yellow brick road… inevitably humming ‘follow the yellow brick road’ repeatedly – if you’re anything like myself.”
The initial sight that welcomes guests is the Upside Down House, which you can explore and experience the rather bewildering spectacle of it all, before exiting via a massive slide (adults included) at the conclusion.
The Land of Oz at Gulliver’s World (Image: MEN)
Dianne loved her day out with her children (Image: MEN)
Dianne added: “My younger son was particularly fascinated by the twitching limbs of the Wicked Witch pinned beneath the dwelling.”
Adjacent to the house sits a child-friendly driving experience where youngsters believe they’re in control – and they will likely delight in calling out a munchkin (plus other vibrant characters) throughout the forest path.
However, the most eye-catching new attraction in this part of the amusement park is undoubtedly the Winged Monkeys. These creatures from the classic Wizard of Oz have haunted many people’s dreams for years.
Yet here at Gulliver’s World, visitors can mount one of these eerie beasts as they soar through the sky. The beauty of this ride is that older children (and adults) have the option to press a button to spin upside down for an even more exhilarating experience, while younger ones can simply enjoy the flight as the monkeys bob up and down.
The flying monkeys (Image: Gulliver’s)
Dianne shared: “My nine-year-old dared to try one spin in the monkey before deciding to remain upright for the remainder of the ride, much to my relief.”
After all the excitement of the new Land of Oz, Dianne decided to venture into Western World and was pleasantly surprised to find only a short queue for one of the most popular rides, Apache Falls.
She said: “This ride is a bit of a hybrid between a Rapids ride and a log flume, and one thing’s for sure – you’re going to get wet. Not that my children minded, they absolutely loved it.”
Meanwhile, Gully’s Cartoon Studios is a great place for lunch and has an additional soft play area inside the diner. Dianne stated: “It’s these little extras that make a day out like this more manageable for parents, I believe. The soft play provided a distraction for the kids while I queued for our hot food at the takeaway.”
The Log Flume at Gulliver’s World (Image: Gulliver’s)
Gulliver’s World Resort is a great day out (Image: MEN)
There’s so much to do that Dianne and her family didn’t get through all the rides. She said: “One of the things I adore about Gulliver’s World is its compact layout, making it easy to navigate and ensuring everything feels within reach.
“The park is also visually appealing, boasting plenty of greenery and a large pool at its centre, home to numerous ducks and moorhens that kept the children entertained during our brief ice cream break.”
When compared to other family attractions such as the Trafford Centre Summer Funfair where Dianne once spent £64 on rides for two children over just two hours, plus an entrance fee of £10.50 for three of them, Gulliver’s World (which cost £75 for three) offers incredible value for a full day out.
Dianne said: “I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to entertain children under 12 during the school summer holidays. If you can be flexible with your dates, keep an eye out for those £14 tickets too.”